Straus escapes attempted GOP rebuke

Some Texas Republicans tried to whip up opposition against House Speaker Joe Straus, a San Antonio Republican, whom they believe is not sufficiently conservative enough.

One “Tea Party” group from Prosper, Texas pushed a GOP convention platform resolution calling for Straus’ ouster. The resolution faulted Straus for helping raise money for “liberal” Democrat House members Patrick Rose of Dripping Springs and Trey Martinez Fischer of San Antonio.

State photo

Speaker Joe Straus

The resolution also criticized Straus for giving Democrats nearly half of the House committee chairmanships – and for appointing “liberal” Mike Villarreal, D-San Antonio, and Aaron Pena, “another liberal Democrat to chair and oversee redistricting committees across the state.”

They also criticized Straus for taking $1,000 during his first term from Planned Parenthood and for supporting casino gambling.

Former GOP vice chairman and Wallbuilder founder David Barton also circulated a flyer criticizing Straus as “one of the greatest obstacles” for conservatives.

Conservative State Board of Education members chose Barton last year as one of the board’s expert reviewers for new social curriculum standards for public school children.

Barton criticized the inclusion of César Chávez in the history books. “He certainly lacks the stature, impact and overall contributions of so many others; and his open affiliation with Saul Alinsky’s movements certainly makes dubious that he is praiseworthy, to be heralded to students as someone ‘who modeled active participation in the democratic process,'” Barton wrote in his review last year.

Barton wanted delegates to instruct Straus to appoint only conservative Republicans to committee chairs and that Straus only help Republicans.

Both efforts failed.

The attack on Straus always reflected a lack of understanding of House politics. The speaker represents all House members, as they elect him or her. Also, the state House is narrowly divided. Republicans only had a two-seat margin (76-74) last session when Straus defeated incumbent Speaker Tom Craddick.

Straus vowed not to raise money or attack incumbent House Democrats. Doing so creates bad blood – especially in a narrowly divided chamber. Straus helps his GOP colleagues and is free to help Republicans open seats.

Straus also draws fire from House Democrats, who complain that he favors Republican conservatives. Straus would not have defeated Craddick last year were it not for the solid support from Democrats.